Former Korean Footballer Kang Ji Yong Suddenly Passes Away At 37, Past TV Appearance And Marital Troubles Re-Examined
Former footballer Kang Ji Yong has passed away at the age of 37, to the shock of many fans.
Former professional footballer Kang Ji Yong’s tragic passing has left a heavy emotional impact, especially after his recent appearance on JTBC’s reality show Divorce Consideration Camp. The deeply personal stories and shocking revelations aired during his time on the show have now sparked ongoing public discussions.
Kang Ji Yong passed away on April 22 at the age of 37. His wake is being held in Room 2 of Soonchunhyang University Hospital’s funeral hall in Cheonan, with his wife and daughter—who also appeared on the show—listed as chief mourners. The funeral is set for April 25, and he will be laid to rest at Cheonan Memorial Park.
The news was first shared by his close friend and fellow former footballer Koo Bon Sang, who had also appeared in the show as an acquaintance. On the show, Kang and his wife had openly discussed financial issues, with Kang saying, “I’m going crazy because of money. The loans are about 30 to 40 million won.”
A JTBC official commented on April 23 that discussions were ongoing, and eventually, all VOD episodes from episodes 27 to 30 featuring the couple were removed. The production team stated, “To avoid causing any harm to the deceased, we’ve taken down the episodes that featured him.”
Born in 1989, Kang began his professional career when he was selected by the Pohang Steelers as the fifth pick in the 2009 K-League draft. He played with the team for three years before transferring to Busan IPark in 2012. Over the years, he also played for Gyeongju Citizen FC, Bucheon FC, Gangwon FC, Incheon United, Gimpo FC, Gangneung Citizen FC, and Cheonan City FC, before retiring in 2022.
During his appearance on the show, Kang revealed, “I was a football player for over 10 years. I met my wife at a drinking party in 2020 after my knee surgery, and we started living together from that day. I approached her first because she was pretty. When I found out she was pregnant, that’s when reality hit me.”
He had been working at a chemical manufacturing factory after retiring. “When I was considering retiring, my wife was pregnant. I had to think practically. If I worked as a football coach, I’d be away from my wife and baby, so I started a completely different job. I now earn in the mid-3 million won range per month. When I was in peak condition, I used to make 150 million won annually,” he shared.
In a surveillance clip shown on the show, his wife, Lee Da Eun, frequently criticized him and showed frustration. Kang said, “After an argument, I briefly left the house, and she removed the batteries from the door lock. When I get agitated, I lose my words and end up just taking it. If she doesn’t open the door, I sometimes sleep outside for three days or even a week.”
Kang added, “After having a child, we ended up with 30 to 40 million won in loans. I think my wife spends too much.” Lee responded, “If I knew raising a kid would be like this, I wouldn’t have had one. You’re the problem in this house. If you’d just brought in money from the start, it wouldn’t have come to this.”
In an interview with the production team, Kang said, “My wife says things like, ‘You had nowhere else to go,’ and ‘How much money do you think you can earn?’ It cuts deep. My biggest wish is to die in my sleep. I’ve prepared everything in my car. I even went to see a divorce lawyer, but I couldn’t go through with it because of my child. I’m 100% sure I want a divorce. I’ve been doing my best, but she’s crushed my will to live,” breaking down in tears.
His heartbreaking words, especially his confession that “dying in my sleep is my wish,” have only deepened the public’s sorrow and concern.
May he rest in peace.
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